Ipswich fans protested at training ground because ‘the core of the club is being ripped out’ and Darren Bent insists something must change

Former Ipswich striker Darren Bent has called for change at the club following protests at their training ground on Monday.

The Tractor Boys were forced to suspend training as supporters lobbed flares at their Suffolk base to protest against the club's current situation.

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Ipswich are 12th in League One having won just two of their last seven matches and manager Paul Lambert is under immense pressure.

And Bent, who came through the Ipswich academy and made more than 100 appearances for the club, insists something has to give.

While there can be no excusing the use of flares to protest, Bent points out that Ipswich fans have never caused trouble before, and yesterday's incident signals a relationship which has turned sour.

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"It's a club very close to my heart," Bent told talkSPORT. "I started there, I still look out for their results and I speak to a number of fans of the football club and they're clearly not happy.

"We're talking about some of the nicest people you'll meet, they're not argumentative, they just want to see what's best for Ipswich and hopefully get them promoted.

"They feel like the core of the club is being ripped out, whether that's the owner or the manager, they're not happy with either.

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"The fact that we're seeing flares suspending training - that's not something that has ever been associated with Ipswich.

"There's always been a nice relationship between the club and supporters - but now it's gone sour.

"Something has to change because it can't continue.

"This is a club that shouldn't be sitting down in League One, they've been there far too long."